is it possible for a woman to become as strong as a man?

Question

I know that there is the ambiguity of exactly what woman and what man I am comparing, but through excercise and nutrition can a woman achieve the same strength a man would? I just find it hard to believe that there is a biological limit to how strong a body can become.

don't most bodybuilders use steroids though.

Answer 1

if she works out hard enough!!

well I think women are mentally stronger anyway.

Answer 2

No. The world record bench press for women is 507 pounds (using denim shirts, use steroids) and for men is 1010 pounds. (using denim shirts, no steroids).

Of course if you compare a pro female weightlifter to an average man that doesn't exercise, she will be a lot stronger, but this isn't a fair comparison. I remember when I first started working out, I could bench more than every woman at the gym. Even those that had been exercising for a long time.

There is no way a woman can be as strong as a man, if both exercise as much, even if the man doesn't exercise it will be hard to catch up to him (not impossible), and he will catch up with you very fast as soon as he starts exercising due to testosterone. Also, women have smaller bones which is why they can't have as much muscles. (bones wouldn't be able to support the muscles) Another thing is height. Men are taller than women (on average) which gives them longer mucles.

Bodybuilders are not as strong as weightlifter. Bodybuilders use steroids most often, but they only focus on the aesthetics of the muscles (muscle symmetry, size, and tone). Bodybuilders also use creatine.

Weightlifters care only about strength, and you will see, if you compare a weightlifter to a bodybuilder, they won't look as big but will be much stronger.

EDIT

PS: I know you want to take steroids, but do yourself a favour and don't. You'll waste money and it's unatural and will screw you up. (you could get bald, grow facial hair, and even worse stuff.) Look up side effects of steroids for women and you'll see what I'm talking about

Answer 3

Yes a woman can become stronger than an AVERAGE MAN however I will let you know something...Men are still biologically stronger than women. It's a scientific fact. Thus, if the man also participates in the same exercises as the woman, he will be more stronger than the woman.

Answer 4

If we are talking on a strictly biological, same sized man and woman comparison, and also speaking in terms of lifting weights and whatnot, the answer is: no.

According to mamashealth.com (and verified by other websites randomly visited, including ask.com)

"Women's body's respond differently to weight training than a man's. This difference is mainly because of hormonal differences. The hormone testosterone plays a major role in muscular development. Because women have very little testosterone, they tend not to "bulk-up" with weight training."

In other words, given two people of near-similar body types and similar training regimes, the male will be physically stronger than the woman as the end result.

However, as with all things, strength alone does not victory make. In other words, physical strength is simply one factor among many in determining the ability of one to do 'work' (the physics equivalent of energy used to perform tasks). Sure, a guy can possibly carry a 100 lb bag of concrete more easily than a woman, but if that man only carries 6 bags an hour, and a woman carries 14, 50 lb bags an hour, then she is performing more 'work' than the man (700 lbs vs. 600 lbs.)

Just because people are created 'unequal' doesn't mean they don't have talents or abilities that might balance against their weaknesses, and thus make them 'equal' in a different, but no less meaningful, way.

Answer 5

Yes, a woman can achieve same strenght as a man of same(ideal) size by motivation and extra effort during work out. It will probably take 50% more time(months) in gym because of lesser sets and extended resting period (atleast 1-2days for body to recover and build) between work outs.
Off course, there is a biological limit to how strong a body can become (energy per cubic inch of a body does definitely have a limit); there is a difference in results when you place woman and a man through same exercise routine. although, the routine can initiate at same level, but the progress to succeeding level is usually faster in man if both of them are equally determined. Due to hormonal factors, muscle fibers are synthesized rapidly in man(younger than 35 years of age
). Lastly, mental attitude is the most essential factor in strenght training. Your limit is always greater than what you think it is!!

Answer 6

I think the answer is no. If an average man and woman ate the same food and did the same exercises I think the man would still end up with more upper body strength. Men and women are different. Different strengths and weaknesses.

Answer 7

Stereotypically ...men have always been considered to be physically more stronger than a woman from a similar society. let me tell u a difference i saw myself .....
in school ..i had a female teacher who was 5 feet 7 inchez tall and a male teacher who was almost 5 feet tall. she could beat the hell out of him.

If u see both genderz from various societies u may see a difference. i dont want to name countries and appear prejudiced. but seriously ...i think that women can be compared to men physically. theres not much difference left in any field that dont have genders that are completely equal to eachother. accept for their anatomy of course....* wink *

Answer 8

i dont look like a body builder, but i have noticed i lift more than some men at the gym.

personally i think every "body" has its own limit as to how much muscle it can grow aquire and retain. everyone's body is very unique.

but overall i think men are stronger.

Answer 9

if the goal is lifting Xkg, a woman has to train harder and longer than a man but ultimatelly they will bot get there.

Answer 10

Absolutely, watch a women's body builder contest.